https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/
tuchel-rates-transfer-business-assesses-auba-and-fofana-signings-and
Tuchel rates transfer business, assesses Auba and Fofana signings and
prepares for fresh start
02 SEP 22
For several weeks Thomas Tuchel had said he was looking forward to the
transfer window closing so he could focus on coaching a committed group of
Chelsea players, and with the deadline now passed and two more
acquisitions secured, the boss believes our season starts now.
https://i.imgur.com/fRtSHLo.jpg
It has been a busy summer at Stamford Bridge with plenty of ins and outs,
accelerated by the sanctions earlier this year and the subsequent change
in ownership of the club. As he reflected on our activity at his press
conference today, Tuchel gave a glowing review.
'We can discuss endlessly if we overspent, but the players we got are very
good players and personalities,' he said.
'Everything was desperately needed to rebuild the group and inspire the
group. We did excellent signings. It doesn't help if we talk about the
price. This is how the market was for us, it was nobody's fault given the
situation, but the players we got fit perfectly and I'm very happy to work
with this group now.'
The transfer of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona was confirmed in
the early hours of Friday morning, with the Blues adding a proven
goalscorer to our attacking roster.
'We know very well what we get with Auba, and he was very keen to come
back to the Premier League,' said Tuchel of the player he has worked with
at Borussia Dortmund.
'Hopefully he can be that good again. We are very happy we could make it
happen. He has delivered everywhere he has played. Goals, but more
importantly speed and work-rate against the ball. It's a big package he
can bring to our group.
https://i.imgur.com/e6tPCsV.jpg
'Auba is happy to fight for something and accept the challenge,' added the
boss. 'The more challenges, the better. If he wants to overcome the
'number nine curse', or show somebody in London he is better than people
think about him, the more the better because he is up for that and he is
happy.
'I imagine the Chelsea fans are happy he chose the club in blue instead of
the club in red. They will see very early what he is about. He is a very
hardworking striker, the first line of pressing, and that's what made him
special in Dortmund when he worked for me, and a captain of Arsenal where
he lifted trophies.'
Aubameyang's disciplinary history was brought up by the journalists,
including a Champions League fixture between Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon
in 2016 that Tuchel dropped him for.
'It was not even about timekeeping, it was about the rule we set between
matches. He forgot about it, and visited his hairdresser I guess!' laughed
Tuchel.
https://i.imgur.com/1MlBpQ5.jpg
Aubameyang and Tuchel, now reunited, celebrate at Dortmund in 2017
'It was never a big issue. He never misses a meeting. Sixty minutes before
training is sometimes a struggle, sometimes it's 58 or 59 minutes before
that he's in, but never a major concern.
'He has a good heart. He's a top character. I'm 100 per cent sure he will
fit into our dressing room and influence the group in a very positive way.
This is how I remember Auba and this is how I felt him when I met him in
London when he was playing for Arsenal. This is what we expect from him.'
On the signing of Wesley Fofana, which went through on Wednesday after
much speculation, Tuchel had this to say.
'He's young, he's fast, he's very strong in set-pieces, defending and
attacking, and he was one of our very early targets. He has the kind of
profile we had identified early as a replacement for Toni and Andreas.
https://i.imgur.com/sOcSZGX.jpg
Fofana with the new owners
'We are very happy we stayed patient, and super happy Todd and Behdad were
relentless on it, and never gave up, and managed to fulfil this transfer.'
With all our transfer dealings said and done, Tuchel can now focus on the
football. The Blues have had an indifferent start to the season and
currently sit in 10th place, with a minus two goal difference, following
back-to-back away losses.
The most recent, at Southampton, worried Tuchel, who lamented his side's
lack of mentality and fight afterwards. Now the window is shut, he expects
a more cohesive and determined effort against West Ham tomorrow and in the
busy months ahead.
'We will use the stability to grow, to build a group and influence each
other in a positive way,' he explained.
'I saw a reaction yesterday, and today we had a good training session. The
cards are on the table. We will use it as a kickstart, it's needed. We
have the chance to start the season new tomorrow, a home game, with the
players that are available. I have the feeling everybody is ready to show
up.
'If we don't get tough, we will get punished. We will show a reaction.
It's proven we can do it with this group. We need to find the right spirit
and attitude in all the matches. We are now using the momentum we know who
is in the squad, and we will show a new face.'